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Thursday, February 2, 2012

A Good Day

I know that I have been absent from this blog for LONG. I know that I said I was going to be blogging about art fairs. But I am back, and I am beginning right off the bat by getting off topic. Well, sort of. It ties in somewhat. Anyway....

If you follow fellow beaders on Facebook, you undoubtedly noticed a lot of really excited beaders yesterday with news that their pieces were juried into the new Lark book in the 500 series.

I am one of those excited folks. Three of my pieces were accepted to be published in this book. And if that weren't exciting enough, my collar "Cathedral Windows" is featured on the cover of the book! I can't get over it- I keep thinking it is a joke and someone did a cover mock-up and will contact me shortly to say- "Ha ha- we sent one of these covers to everyone, but with their picture on the cover!" I'll believe it when I actually have it in my hands.

This has given me a big lift right when I needed it. Do you ever get discouraged looking around the internet and seeing all the fabulous beading out there? This is what has been happening to me lately. I have been looking around Etsy and see all the AMAZING beading and have been feeling very humbled. And a bit intimidated. And kind of stuck, if the truth be told!

To add to this, I recently created some jewelry with Be Elegant clasps by Beadsmith. (more on this in a future post) About 26 other beaders also created jewelry for this project- and once again I am overwhelmed and insecure. I am so critical of my own stuff- especially compared to the others! I am not writing this to get people to tell me mine is good, but I am thinking I can't be the only one that feels this way! Sometimes I just have to stop looking at beading on the internet, and focus on my own. (live in my own little world?) I can get so hung up on comparing my work to others, that it paralyzes me as far as being creative.

OK- now to tie in to the art show theme. The good with the bad. This means rejections. And I have gotten plenty. I have gotten accepted into some very prestigious art shows, and at the same time been rejected by little crafty low end shows. I have entered the same piece into a contest and it is not even a finalist, then have it juried into an gallery exhibit. Two of the pieces in this book were entered into different contests and didn't win anything. So we have to keep in mind that it is all subjective, and just keep on trying. In the end, I am my own judge and the only one I have to please.

Still, it is so wonderful to have recognition, and acceptance letters are fabulous. I always try to remember that it would be no fun if you always won, and all your applications were accepted. No challenge. The highs would be nowhere as good! So for now, I will just soak in this good news, and get back to filling out applications for this summer's art shows and hope for the best!!

2 comments:

I soooooo understand. I don't do the 'really elaborate' creations like you ladies do, but I do more than a simple beaderweaver.... I am somewhere in the middle. I LOVE your work and am so excited about seeing it in a book. I am not sure if I am good enough to even send in my photos yet! Thanks....I am glad I am not the only one! ~KM

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Betty's Etsy shop

"Forevermore"

"Lakshmi"

About Me

I am a bead artist living and working in Western New York State. I have been beading for many years, but only discovered my real passion for bead embroidery about 6 years ago. Since then I have created many pieces from simple earrings to very elaborate collars.
I sell my work online through Etsy
http://www.bettystephanbeadwork.etsy.com
as well as exhibiting at Art Shows throughout the Eastern U.S.
you can follow me on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Betty-Stephan-Beadwork/134426161640
I have won several awards in national contests, including Fire Mountain Gems and Bead Dreams. I have been published in both Bead and Button Magazine and FMG catalogs.